Looking ahead for UAE luxury hotels: What do young tourists want?

Many accommodations are adjusting their choices to suit the dynamic and hybrid lifestyle of young, digital-savvy travellers

Through holidays, all of us have many priorities. From location and services to the local cuisine and climate, each of us has a specific set of requirements in mind when booking our ideal getaway.

The world hospitality industry also pays close attention to broader market trends, examining what guests are seeking within each segment.

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One shift that has proven particularly noteworthy in recent years is the increasing number of Millennial and Gen Z travelers visiting luxury hotels. However, the growing numbers of young tourists taking more expensive holidays does not mean they are seeking the same experience as Gen X and Baby Boomer consumers.

Lifestyle The rise of ‘bleisure’

As its title suggests, ‘bleisure’bleisure’’ combines elements of both business and leisure tourism. Younger demographics are demonstrating a greater willingness to combine work and travel, enjoying the comfort and leisure offered by luxury hotels without neglecting their professional commitments.

According to analysis conducted by Cebr on behalf of Edyn, 51 per cent of Millennial and Gen Z respondents cited remote working facilities as the most important consideration when choosing accommodation in a foreign country.

Increased flexibility in terms of when they take their holidays, coupled with the ability to work remotely, is enabling ‘bleisure’ travellers to take advantage of lower costs.

Currently, many luxury hotels are adjusting their offerings to suit the dynamic and hybrid lifestyles of young, digitally savvy travellers, supplementing existing services to facilitate guests who wish to work during their stay. In turn, these destinations are succeeding in boosting occupancy during traditionally off-peak travel seasons.

Lifestyle Solo time out

While it is true that a growing number of Millennial and Gen Z consumers are starting households, many others are seeking solo travel experiences. According to data published by Condor Ferries, 58 per cent of Millennials say they would travel on vacation alone, and 26 per cent already have.

Personally, I do not find this trend surprising.

Going on vacation with family and friends can be wonderful fun, but solo travel allows people to challenge their personal boundaries and embark on adventures without having to consider the needs of others. Given the shifting attitudes toward mental health and wellbeing among younger demographics, I can understand why some might view solo journeys as the ideal opportunity to clear their minds, de-stress, and learn more about themselves.

Lifestyle Giving the correct impact

Many young travellers now desire aesthetically wonderful vacation destinations, to permit them to substitute their social media channels by importing images and videos of their time out. In fact, Forty eight per cent of of us cite Instagram as an affect when picking a destination for his or her subsequent vacation.

On the surface, ‘Instagrammability’ may seem like a superficial reason to choose a destination, but I believe this trend reflects a broader need among young travelers—particularly the prioritization of experiential holidays.

Millennial and Gen Z travelers are seeking distinctive landscapes, iconic architecture, and well-designed accommodations. They want to enjoy truly luxurious destinations while sharing information about available deals.

Because it is probably you can imagine, the typical desire for ‘Instagrammable’ spaces is having a pronounced effect on the luxury hospitality industry, with high-end hotels working to create more opportunities for guests to photograph themselves in their lobbies, rooms, and even while they’re dining.

In my view, the growing popularity of photogenic spaces is helping to raise standards within the luxury hotel sector, opening up new and exciting opportunities for experiential travel. This trend can also be providing free marketing for many destinations, so it really is a win-win situation.

Lifestyle A focus on authenticity

Many Millennial and Gen Z consumers are seeking luxury hotels that offer more than superficial ‘bling’. Indeed, younger travellers are seeking distinctive experiences that offer opportunities to immerse themselves in the culture and heritage of the communities they are visiting.

According to the Condor Ferries analysis, an overwhelming – 86 per cent – of Millennials seek cultural enrichment, actively avoiding tourist hotspots. What’s more, over half (60 per cent) of respondents consider local customs an essential part of their vacation.

It is not merely aesthetic, which is true, to explore high-end hotels going above and beyond to ensure visitors have safe access to authentic experiences. From traditional décor and cuisine to local heritage tours and educational programmes, as we note, luxury hospitality companies are placing as much emphasis on enrichment as they are on opulence.

Lifestyle Responsible travel choices

Younger travellers have played an instrumental role in placing sustainability at the forefront of the luxury hospitality agenda. While this is a challenge that spans generations, with people of all ages placing a high importance on environmental and social responsibility, many Millennials and members of Gen Z are seeking to minimise their carbon footprints by taking holidays that positively contribute to local communities.

Through demographics, the youngest consumers are leading the push for sustainable travel. According to a survey conducted by Expedia Group, 56 per cent of Gen Z respondents want green and eco-friendly accommodation, and a similar percentage (54 per cent) say they are willing to pay more for sustainable options. Younger generations are also demanding more ethical tourism activities, such as those that support local businesses and conservation efforts.

It is encouraging to see Millennial and Gen Z consumers having a clear impact on the luxury resort segment, helping to raise standards across the board. I look forward to seeing how young travellers continue to reshape this industry in the years ahead.

Ali Sajwani is the Managing Director for Operations and Technology at DAMAC Properties

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